In light of the ongoing aggression by the American-Zionist enemy against our beloved country, and to ensure the continuity of educational activities within universities and higher education institutions, the following directives are hereby issued to all public and private universities and higher education institutions for immediate implementation:

1. It is mandatory to prioritize the continuity of educational affairs and the holding of classes for the current semester, effective from April 4, 2026 (15 Farvardin 1405).

2. Classes in universities and higher education institutions will be conducted virtually until further notice. Universities and institutions must make the necessary arrangements for online sessions and provide offline compensatory measures for students who lack the means to connect online. Regarding practical courses that cannot be delivered virtually, universities shall subsequently implement appropriate planning and issue the necessary announcements.

3. Defense sessions for graduate theses, dissertations, and proposals may be held virtually. Furthermore, the defense deadline for graduate students (beyond their permitted academic years) whose defense date was previously set by special cases committees (university, provincial, or central) for the end of March 2026 (Esfand 1404), is hereby extended until July 21, 2026 (end of Tir 1405).

4. Universities are authorized to conduct the comprehensive PhD examinations virtually. Additionally, in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the Note of Article 44 of the Unified Educational Regulations, universities may substitute the comprehensive exam for students with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 17.00 or higher.

5. For students nearing graduation, appropriate facilities, including an increase in "referral-to-professor" courses (in accordance with the directives issued by the Vice-Presidency for Education), must be taken into consideration.

6. Regarding the activities of academic departments, research laboratories, and other research and technological affairs of universities and higher education institutions, decisions shall be made by the Provincial Higher Education Management Working Group, based on regional requirements and local conditions.

Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology
March 29, 2026 (9 Farvardin 1405)